'It's grim at the moment for everyone': Manchester Airport workers describe a very different Christmas - but 2021 could bring new hope

direct to your inboxManchester Airport is urging the UK government to provide more financial help for the ailing travel industry - and a roadmap out of restrictions. Bosses at MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, welcome the move to ensure passengers arriving into England have tested negative for coronavirus before being allowed entry.

The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution in 2019.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

a devastating ripple effect on jobs and other businesses along the supply chain.Here we remember some of the biggest names that have been lost this year.Co-owned by the father of Manchester United footballer Juan Mata, Deansgate restaurant Tapeo and Wine never managed to reopen after the first lockdown.The team confirmed its permanent closure back in September, posting: "It's been a great ride and we will always be grateful for your love and support."It was established by husband and wife team

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

direct to your inbox A man has died after being hit by a car in Middleton on Christmas Eve. The 30 year-old pedestrian was involved in a collision with a grey BMW 320i M Sport on Rochdale Road just after 7.30pm on Thursday, December 24.Emergency services raced to the scene he was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

direct to your inboxA family is trying to track down the person behind a kindhearted random act of kindness.An envelope with a £5 note inside had been left in the car park of Asda in Chadderton on Christmas Eve.Inside the envelope, which had a Christmas tree drawn on it, the card read: "To whoever has found this, I hope you have a lovely Christmas, treat yourself."Keep smiling, there is light at the end of the tunnel!Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with

direct to your inboxFor many women working the streets of Manchester during the coronavirus pandemic, clients have been their only regular human contact.With the city under lockdown these women were forced to seek help through windows or over Facetime, instead of speaking to someone sitting across from them.This not only had a ‘noticeable’ impact on the mental wellbeing of some sex workers, but it also affected those reaching out to help from Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH).But for one

direct to your inboxShe has spent her life caring for others - from nursing patients at the first ever NHS hospital in the 1940s to helping rehabilitate ex-offenders today.Now Manchester grandma Dena Murphy, who has won a Pride of Britain Award for her work in the community, has delivered a Christmas speech to offer comfort to the people of Greater Manchester in these dark times.It has been a tough year for many during the pandemic, with thousands losing loved ones to Covid-19, and others facing

direct to your inboxLike this entire year, Christmas Day in 2020 is anything but normal.It's a restricted, and for some quite sad time.But Greater Mancunians did have something to smile about today...

straight to your inbox every day for freeThere's no rest for Manchester United, who were last to play on Wednesday night and are first to kick off on Boxing Day. That gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad little time to prepare for a tough test at Leicester tomorrow, let alone fit in a proper Christmas Day with the family.

Ariana Grande has brought some Christmas cheer to hundreds of young hospital patients in Manchester.The pop star has surprised hundreds of children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with an Amazon voucher each worth £100.Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the father of one of the patents said his daughter was “absolutely delighted” with the kind gesture, describing the ‘7 Rings’ singer as “a wonderful human being”.“She said, ‘look dad, I’ve got a

direct to your inboxA man in a Manchester United mask stands alone with his holdall bag in an empty, closed check-in hall. His story is anything but festive.He tells me he he left home following a row with his girlfriend and decided to jet off on a flight abroad on a whim.But now that he is in Manchester Airport with no ticket, he just wants to get back home to east Manchester.Last year I visited the airport on December 24 to capture the heartwarming moment couples reunited for the festive

Ariana Grande is proving the people of Manchester are very much in her heart this holiday season.

Ariana Grande had an early Christmas present for young people in Manchester spending the festive season in hospital. It’s been reported that Ariana has gifted every child being treated at Manchester’s Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with a £100 voucher that they can use on Amazon.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola used the Manchester weather to suggest that Manchester City's goalscoring issues are not over. The defending Carabao Cup champions put four past Arsenal to reach the semi-finals of the competition, with Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte all netting at the Emirates.

direct to your inboxManchester Airport has issued a warning to travellers as several countries ban UK flights following news of the new mutant strain of coronavirus.Canada is the latest country to ban UK flights from entering its airspace for 72 hours from Sunday amid fears about the spread of the new Covid-19 variant.Manchester Airport remains open, but bosses have warned that many flights are “subject to short notice change or cancellation”.Passengers are being advised to check with airlines

direct to your inboxDreaming of a white Christmas?Sadly, forecasters have predicted there will be no snow on Christmas Day this year.But the Met Office has said Greater Manchester is likely to see widespread frosty conditions that will bring a 'seasonal feel' to festivities on the day.Temperatures across most of the country will stay in mid-single figures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but no snow is expected to settle, Met Office forecasters have predicted.They said that despite a wet

straight to your inboxManchester City have given a Christmas present to every primary school kid in East Manchester and every child in in care across the whole city.Staff, players and coaches have paid for, wrapped and delivered more than 5,500 gifts.And with the coronavirus pandemic meaning the traditional Christmas visits to hospitals are off the cards, stars including Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne have been video calling patients on children's wards at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital,

straight to your inbox every day for freeAndy Cole has declared himself a big fan of Edinson Cavani - and hopes the striker can share his knowledge of the game with his Manchester United team-mates.Cavani joined United on a free transfer at the end of the summer transfer window to give manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer another attacking option.